Designation of authorized emergency vehicles

(a) Any particular vehicle listed in subsection (b) of K.S.A. 8-2010a, and amendments thereto, shall be designated, by the board of county commissioners in which such vehicle is located, as an authorized emergency vehicle upon the filing of an application pursuant to K.S.A. 8-2010a, and amendments thereto and a finding that designation of such vehicle is necessary to the preservation of life or property or to the execution of emergency governmental functions. The designation shall be in writing and the written designation shall be carried in the vehicle at all times, but failure to carry the written designation shall not affect the status of the vehicle as an authorized emergency vehicle. (b) Any vehicle designated as an authorized emergency vehicle prior to the effective date of this act, may continue to operate as an authorized emergency vehicle, as long as: (1) The ownership of such vehicle remains unchanged; and (2) the use of such vehicle for purposes for which such vehicle was designated remains unchanged, except that all future operation of such vehicle as an authorized emergency vehicle shall be in accordance with this section and such other applicable provisions of law. (c) The following vehicles shall not be required to be designated by the board of county commissioners as authorized emergency vehicles: (1) Fire department vehicles or police vehicles which are publicly owned; (2) motor vehicles operated by ambulance services permitted by the emergency medical services board under the provisions of K.S.A. 65-6101 et seq., and amendments thereto; and (3) wreckers, tow trucks or car carriers, as defined by K.S.A. 66-1329, and amendments thereto, and having a certificate of public service from the state corporation commission. (d) Any vehicle designated under the provisions of this section, as an authorized emergency vehicle in the county in which such vehicle is located, shall be a valid designation of such vehicle in any other county and such vehicle shall be authorized to operate as an authorized emergency vehicle without being required to obtain any additional designation in any other county.